Myanmar’s ruling junta has lost communication with senior officers at a major military base near the Chinese border after rebels announced they had taken control. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) rebel group posted photographs of their troops at the military headquarters in Lashio, stating they had gained complete victory. This marks the first regional military base to fall to rebels, signaling a major defeat for the junta.
The armed rebellion against military rule in Myanmar has been gaining ground since the February 2021 coup, with an alliance of young protesters and ethnic rebel groups joining forces to fight the junta. The loss of Lashio highlights the weakness of the Myanmar military, as neighboring countries and the resistance movement see them falter.
The junta’s leader, Min Aung Hlaing, faces existential implications as rebel groups continue to gain territory and allies in their fight against the military. The collapse of a ceasefire in northern Shan state, where Lashio is located, has escalated the conflict, prompting other ethnic armies along the Thai and Indian borders to congratulate the MNDAA on their successful offensive.
China has urged dialogue and an end to hostilities in Myanmar, as the junta struggles to maintain control in the face of mounting resistance. The fall of regional military bases to rebels represents a significant setback for the ruling generals, who are facing unprecedented pressure as they attempt to quell the growing rebellion in the country.
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